Clinical guideline

Clinical guideline is a set of recommendations based on systematic reviews of evidence, often including a cost-effectiveness analysis, to assist healthcare professionals and patients in making decisions about appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances.

Definition

A clinical guideline is a systematically developed statement designed to assist clinicians and patients in making decisions about appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances. These guidelines are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.

Development

The development of clinical guidelines involves a rigorous process that includes the identification of relevant medical literature, critical appraisal of the evidence, and the development of recommendations based on that evidence. This process is typically overseen by a guideline development group which includes healthcare professionals, researchers, and often patients or patient representatives.

Implementation

The implementation of clinical guidelines into clinical practice is a complex process that involves a variety of strategies, including education, audit and feedback, and computerized decision support systems. The goal of implementation is to improve the quality and consistency of care, and to ensure that the best available evidence is used in clinical decision making.

Criticism and Controversy

While clinical guidelines are widely used in healthcare, they have also been the subject of criticism and controversy. Some critics argue that guidelines may be influenced by the interests of those who fund or develop them, and that they may not adequately consider individual patient preferences or circumstances. Others have raised concerns about the quality of the evidence used in guideline development, and the transparency of the development process.

See Also

• Evidence-based medicine
• Healthcare quality
• Medical literature
• Patient safety